Unavoidable losses in neutron quantum experiments

Abstract

Quantum optics experiments contribute to a deeper understanding of quantum theory. Neutron phase-echo and spin rotation experiments have shown that, in all cases of an interaction, parasitic beams are produced which cannot be recombined with the original beam in an ideal way. This means that a complete reconstruction of the original state would, in principle, be impossible. Thus a kind of intrinsic irreversibility occurs, even when the original quantum state survives to a very high extent. When plane waves are used, completely reversible situations can be constructed in certain cases, but in any physical situation, wave packets have to be used which do not permit complete reversibility. Even small interaction potentials can have huge effects when they are arranged periodically and resonance effects appear. This gives various constraints for repetitive measurements and prevents a complete freezing of a quantum state in Zeno-like experiments. Additionally, a spectral change occurs, due to the dispersive action of the interaction, which has to be taken into account when many repetitive measurements are considered. A dedicated proposal for a repetitive neutron spin rotation experiment within a perfect crystal resonator will be analyzed in detail. Unavoidable losses due to quantum phenomena can be separated from losses caused by experimental imperfections.